Celtic Butterfly at Christmas in July...

Today Yesterday was the annual Christmas In July lunch for a group I belong to but unfortunately rarely get to go to anymore because of work shift times...I missed out last year because I had to work on the Saturday it was held...it was great to see people that I haven't seen in ages...anyway, a tradition of this group is the Christmas Elves Challenge* (explanation at the end of the post). This year's challenge was Stained Glass.

I bought Irish Quilting Volume 2 Issue 6 some weeks ago and randomly opened it to the last instalment of a series of Celtic Zodiac designs and the dates for that sign started with my birthday!  Perfect!!  So, based on that block, this is what I came up with...

Yes I am a butterfly...you can just stop that laughing now!

We had to incorporate a piece of green fabric from our "resource box" which I used as the background for the side panels and also in the flying geese.  There was just enough of the 1/4" bias stuff supplied for what I wanted so I used that rather than make my own....and I learnt?...I don't like it, too stiff, thick and hard to needle.  I used this as a bit of a play of various things...machine raw edge applique, kind of based on what I learnt in Kellie's class but not her technique 'coz we all know I suck at that...polyester machine embroidery threads received from a retreat a couple of years ago...celtic knot design cutting a stencil from the fabric and using the stitching to create the knot effect...and of course the stained glass...and an upside? apart from the $2.50 I spent on the black poly pop at Lincraft last week all out of the Emporium or resource box.  This was a fun challenge and I enjoyed just playing about a bit.

There was a good response of "entries" and it is always interesting to see just how each individual interprets the challenge outlined.  If you'd like to see what everyone else came up with feel free to visit my picasa album SSQ Christmas Elves' Challenge 2011.  I can't figure out how to imbed a slideshow (yet!) so the easiest thing to do is just put in the link. Well, it's either that or spend another two days waiting to hit the publish button!!  Enjoy the slideshow of all the entries (finally figured out the whole Smilebox thingy!...

Slideshow design created with Smilebox

There was no judging or viewer's choice or any other form of competition attached to the challenge but each participant received a gift which we had to "earn" by playing a game...a bit of extra fun...opening the present in my bag revealed this cute little baggie...

looks innocent enough but it is folded like origami like to create 7 (yes 7!!) pockets of various sizes inside...items in pockets for demonstration purposes...

The rear pocket

And the other 6!

The Elves did an awesome job...yes, they made a lot of the giftees...the rule was that after we all opened our gift bags simultaneously we were allowed to swap our giftees - they weren't all the same - if we wanted to...I don't think anyone did...we were all too impressed with what we found...well done Elves!  Mmmm...who will they choose as their successors (I've been an Elf and that was just about the hardest part!!!) and what will next year's Challenge be?


Totally wrecked...spent the day at Jeff's Shed...some awesome quilts in the show this year...stayed tuned...


Happy Stitching...

* So what is the Christmas Elves' Challenge?

Each year, at the Christmas Dinner (the proper Christmas not the July one) the Christmas Elves for the following year's challenge are revealed and challenge the members to make an item using the technique or theme the Elves have chosen giving each person a "kit" or "instructions" which includes the "rules" for that challenge and any materials that the Elves want to be included.  We have until Christmas In July to create away. The Elves then secretly choose their successors, advise them by mail and the cycle starts all over again.  It is a great fun tradition.  For this year's technique of Stained Glass we were provided with the piece of green fabric, some or all of which had to be included (more was available if required) and a length of that 1/4" adhesive bias stuff (or we could make our own).  It had to be any item within a certain minimum and maximum size and also had to use a traditional quilt sandwich.

Out of the Box...

 Staring contest underway...

Not Only Do I Suck at Free Motion Applique...

I also suck at free motion quilting!!!  Well, today I did anyway...you know how some days you just aren't meant sew...well today was one of them...Day 2 of the Kellie Wulfsohn workshop at Ballarat Patchwork and I tried, really I did, I tried to spiral and swirl in circles and curves without corners...the other ladies in the class were awesome, they spiralled and swirled and circled and curved and I enjoyed seeing their creations come to life...I'll get there it will just take me longer...It was such a fun class - waving hello to Robin! - and I did learn heaps which is the whole idea...just need to practice...and practice...and practice...and then when I think I've done as much as I can possibly do...practice some more!!!

Burning in my sewing room tonight...

 For Norway...

FNSI

Friday Night Sew-In resulted in the Sherbet Pips hexi rows stitched together...

...ready for borders...

Hope your FNSI was productive...

Happy Stitching...

It's Time...

Time for Friday Night Sew-In...

I've just signed up...are you going to join in?...my stitching focus for tonight is already sorted...

The aim is to get the rows stitched together so I can pick it up off the loungeroom floor and don't have to keep stepping around it to get in and out of the house or up the passage as I've done all week...since I obsessively started a new project only having an hour or so each day before work not having anything else to keep me occupied *LOL*...fingers crossed Friday Night Sew-In results in an actual quilt top or at least ready for borders...I'm off to Ballarat Patchwork tomorrow for the second day of the Kellie Wulfsohn workshop...so it won't be a late Friday Night Sew-In, back tomorrow..hopefully with results...

Time to go to the Accountant's for the tax time thing then to see if there is any work waiting for me...if there isn't I just may get to start FNSI this afternoon!

Happy Stitching...

A Quick Project....

While giving the cutting table a bit of a tidy this morning I came across the left over block from the pinwheel runner...so, in the spirit of don't file it use it...with some offcuts of Whimsey and a scrap of cotton batting...I filled in the hour before leaving for work this afternoon...

Pinwheel mug rug (big coaster)...another OPAM for July and a block that escaped the block orphanage...

Happy Stitching...

Pinwheel Progress...

The pinwheel runner has progressed to a finished top...

It actually reached this state a week ago but I kept forgetting to take the photo to finish the post...


Happy Stitching...

Another Inspired Stitches project finish...

A three item set by Helen Stubbings of Hugs 'n' Kisses...Inspired to Stitch...a hoop pouch which holds a six inch hoop and embroidery project, a needle book and a scissor keeper. 

And three finishes for OPAM!  Wahoo!!

Happy Stitching...

Winter Blues...

In the form of a finished wallhanging...ta dah!...and with the lack of warmth here at the moment...brrrr it is chilly...very apt...

This UFO was a pattern, Birdhouse Seasons "Winter Blues" by Figgle Bug Designs and fabric purchased from A Quilters Lane in Sunbury eons ago...mmm, the pattern turns 10 next year!...which languished in the pattern box until last year.  While the top was accomplished relatively quickly, when I decided to finally let it see the light of day, it had languished again until quite recently in the quilt top cupboard...but now...it is done...snowflake and snowman buttons contributed by Mistea (how good it is to have friends with warehouses stashes - thank you!), but the flowerpot was a sticking point until Monday when I found the perfect one at Hettie's Patch in Hindmarsh (Adelaide)...all done now...

and that means a finish for OPAM as well...yay!...

Happy Stitching...

Zero to 12...

in 100 minutes...

...stitcheries ironed, trimmed, layout chosen, border strips allocated, P-faff chain stitching production line put into place and ta dah!...12 finished blocks for the "Tis The Season Stitch-A-Long project...

Happy Stitching...

Style for Sunnies...

Yesterday P-faff was pressed into service to make up the kitted project from the Inspired Stitches goodie bag...

 Spring Market Sunglasses Case by Natalie Ross

love the fabrics and the happy stitchery design

The gorgeous fabric used for the back of the case

I have prescription sunnies so they live in their optometrist provided coffin but a size check has revealed that my rotary cutter fits very nicely in this pretty case.  So while Natalie might have designed a sunglasses case my rotary cutter has snaffled it to travel in style.

Happy Stitching...

More Inspired Stitches...

Some more Inspired Stitches memories...

The projects for the weekend..

The designers show us their projects...(right to left)

Natalie Ross explaining her project

Janelle Wind modelling Natalie's lovely purse

Gail Pan waits with her project

Helen Stubbings looks on for her turn

The designers' displays

Helen's...

Gail's...

Natalie's... 

 Janelle's...

Sarah's lovely shop for retail therapy... 

Mmmm...Janelle helping "inspire" with fabric choices...

Another fabtabulous two days of stitchy inspiration...thanks so much to Sarah and her team...so looking foward to next year...


Happy Stitching...

Sunday at Inspired Stitches...

Sunday bought Day 2 of Inspired Stitches...and the fun continued...greeted by the lovely Ally at the door and directed to our table where sat a new goodie bag...

 ...more reading material, yummy fabrics and threads...

and new friends to play with...Saturday's table included fellow blogger SandyN...so much fun...Sunday's table included the lovely Kris...and one of our SAL blog lurkers was also on our table...so nice to meet bloggy people and visitors in person...

after finishing up the stitchery for Natalie Ross' project that was part of the starter kit, I moved on to Helen Stubbings' project...

There were lots of lucky draws and I won a lovely pattern...

Of course there was a little more retail therapy...the threads are not for me, I was personal shopping for a friend...anyone else out there who needs a quilty personal shopper...retail therapy without guilt! ha ha ha...

Aren't the fabrics just delicious...Janelle Wind made me buy them...yep, all her fault, I was just looking and loving and thinking a piece or two and what did I end up with...9! Yes, 9!...Janelle you are a baaaaddddd influence...*LOL*...I hope to make Janelle's project from the weekend with these beauties...

Oh dear, I've just realised that I have nothing to show for Gail Pan's projects...I have fabrics and threads in the fabric department of the Home Emporium that have been earmarked for those...

Love this weekend event, Sarah's attention to detail is awesome, her family and friends are so welcoming and helpful, fantastic tutors/designers, the venue is brilliant, the school staff who do the catering feed us very very well and are lovely, there is absolutely nothing to whinge about...and I get to play all weekend with my lovely friends K and G (no blog)...looking forward to next year already!!

Happy Stitching...

Saturday at Inspired Stitches

After a perfectly glorious day weather wise on Friday in Adelaide, Saturday was the complete opposite...rain rain rain and a bit more rain...perfect for a day of Inspired Stitches...

Goodie bags on our chairs full of patterns by the lovely designers especially for us, a starter kit for one of projects and presents!...

...two magazines, a roll of gorgeous fabric and Finca threads to match...mmmm, thank you!

A little retail therapy to start the day...

I had pre-ordered the two Anni Downs books from Sarah to pick up this weekend...so excited to finally have a copy of "Some Kind of Wonderful" to peruse."  I was aiming to get a Nicole Mallieu purse kit...couldn't decide which one so got two!...the thread is just because it was there...

The on to the provided project kit...

Almost there...

Back today for more of the same...not too hard to take at all...

Happy Stitching...

Road Trip to Adelaide...

After much waiting and anticipating the time finally arrived to set off for Adelaide and Inspired Stitches...I set off nice and early yesterday so I could amble across taking my time.  After a couple of stops to get petrol and boil the billy for a cuppa, I made it to Warracknabeal in time for lunch...of course I had to visit the local patchwork shop Quilter's Harvest first...where some pieces of Jo Morton fabric just called my name...

I have extra days either side of Inspired Stitches to give me a chance to have a bit of a squiz at Adelaide and the surrounding area and with the information gathered from helpful local to Adelaide bloggy people I am armed with a heap of ideas of place to go and things to see.  The weather is absolutely beautiful today with a predicated top temp of 20 celcius...perfect!...


Right, off to see the sights!


Happy Stitching...